Pineapple | Pinya
The pineapple plant, scientifically known as Ananas comosus, is a tropical fruit-bearing plant belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. It is native to South America but is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The pineapple plant is known for its distinctive appearance, with spiky, sword-like leaves and a cluster of sweet, juicy fruits.
Last week, our horticulture team harvested our first Manitoba-grown pineapple from the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome!
This pineapple ripened earlier than we expected. Pineapples in their natural, ideal environments can take up to 12 – 14 months to ripen, while this small pineapple was ready for harvesting in under a year.
While we’re not completely sure why it was ready early, we are excited to learn from the experience and evaluate how tropical fruits like this grow in our biomes.
The small pineapple was so tasty. It was tart, yet sweet, and delicious!
Some lucky guests at The Leaf were able to try a sample as they walked through the Flora of the Philippines display.
Pineapple cultivation is a significant industry in the Philippines. The country is one of the top producers of pineapples globally, particularly the “Smooth Cayenne” variety, which is commonly grown for export.
Piña is a classic sheer textile crafted by hand from fibres extracted from pineapple leaves. Exhibiting a smooth and glossy texture reminiscent of silk, it boasts a natural yellowish hue. Renowned for its challenging production process, exceptional quality, and scarcity, Piña stands as the most costly and coveted material for the Barong Tagalog. The Barong Tagalog is a traditional Filipino formal shirt for men. It is often worn during special occasions and events.
Visit Flora of the Philippines now until March 17. This new display is inspired by the lush tropical forests that define the breathtaking landscapes of the Philippines and showcases two orchid trees, bamboo pillars, a bromeliad tree, living arches, and a discovery table.
P.S. Remember the other pineapple that was prematurely picked by a visitor? Well, you can now find it living a new life teaching people fun facts about the pineapple plant on our discovery table!
